Rebecca A. Younk, Au.D.
Dr. Rebecca A. Younk, Au.D. is the owner and chief audiologist at Associated Hearing Care. Dr. Younk graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Disorders in 1997 from Truman State University, her Masters of Science in Audiology from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999 and her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida in 2007. If she didn’t have to make money to live she would still be in school getting yet another degree. But to work she must go…
Dr. Rebecca believes in the holistic approach to hearing care for her patients – dismissing the notion of a “one size fits all” solution for individuals with hearing loss. By spending time with the patient, Dr. Rebecca likes to find the right tools, techniques and products that will provide the optimal outcome. At the end of the day, it is all about effective communication – making sure grandparents hear their grandchildren, working adults excel at work and children benefit from the necessary sounds around them to grow to their full potential.
When not at the office, Dr. Rebecca spends most of her time trying to keep up with her kids, Dusty and Sailor.
Dr. Rebecca sees patients in our Minnetonka, Appleton, Morris, Montevideo, and Glenwood offices.
Patti Kleven, NBC-HIS
Patti Kleven joined Associated Hearing Care in February 1975. Patti is Nationally Board Certified in hearing instrument science and is Minnesota State Certified as a hearing instrument specialist. Patti has been an active member of the Minnesota Department of Health Hearing Instrument Dispenser Examination Committee for over 20 years and been influential in ensuring stringent standards are maintained in the licensure of hearing aid dispensers.
Patti is passionate about providing extensive consultation and education to her patients. She has said, “We are talking about quality of life, not just hearing loss. That means it is our responsibility to give each patient the opportunity to explore the optimum technology options and find the most practical solution for their particular hearing loss. I know my day has been successful when I see the excitement in the eyes and the smiles on the faces of a patient and their family when they first experience life through a new set of hearing aids.”
Melodie Maerz, Au.D.
Melodie joined the Associated Hearing Care team in August of 2021, having the privilege of working with her daughter - and fellow audiologist - Rebecca Younk! Dr. Melodie covers a variety of our clinics, and we - and our patients - are lucky to have her. She followed Dr. Younk into the field of audiology in 2009 after graduating from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. While a graduate student, she was Student Representative on the Missouri Academy of Audiology and was a graduate assistant helping to reopen the historic Gillioz Theatre on Route 66 in downtown Springfield.
Melodie is a member of the Minnesota Academy of Audiology and recently became a member of the Membership Committee. This year, the Membership Committee is busy building awareness of the vast resources available to all audiologists in our area. Recently she was appointed to two American Academy of Audiology subcommittees, the Learning Module, and the Research, Clinical, and Teaching Posters, for the 2022-23 term. This will be an amazing opportunity to meet new colleagues and learn about new trends in hearing healthcare.
When not helping people with hearing loss solutions, Melodie enjoys traveling, and has only two U.S. states to visit before completing the entire set of 50.
Dr. Melodie sees patients in our White Bear Lake, St. Paul, Morris, Montevideo, Appleton, and Glenwood offices.
James Urbanski, Au.D.
Jim Urbanski, Au.D., CCC-A joined the Associated Hearing Care team in August of 2022. He received his Bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and sciences from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He received his Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D) at the University of Akron in May of 2017. He completed his clinical externship training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Jim’s professional interests include hearing aid amplification, TeleHealth technology, tinnitus evaluation/management, custom hearing protection solutions, and aural rehabilitation. He believes in spending the proper amount of time and asking the “right questions” to understand the root of the communication concern and finding the right solution for his patients.
In his spare time Jim can be found either on the golf course, playing guitar, or walking his dogs with his wife, Dana.
Dr. Jim sees patients in our St. Paul, Coon Rapids, and Roseville offices.
Roxi Sevelius,
Billing & Finance Manager
Roxi Sevelius came to Associated Hearing Care in April of 2001 as the front office coordinator where she was responsible for keeping the patients entertained and the hearing care professionals on time. She showed such promise she was promoted to office manager in 2006. Like all good promotions – more duties were added to Roxi’s plate which she took on with gusto. Now she was responsible for insurance billing, inventory management and tasked with becoming the assistive listening device expert! In August 2017, Roxi moved away from the front office to become the Billing and Finance manager. Got a question about insurance coverage for hearing aids, or whether a prior auth is needed? Ask Roxi - she’s the resident expert.
Experiencing the direct impact of hearing loss on communication in her family, Roxi knew this was the right job for her. Both her father and mother-in-law lived with hearing loss for much of their adult lives. Her mother-in-law was only in her early 20s when she lost her hearing during a bombing raid on London in WW II.
Roxi’s favorite thing about her job is interacting with people. She is a good listener and wants to hear all about the lives of our patients. She wants to make sure everyone feels like they are part of a family and not just a “patient.” She will always great you with a smile and a “Good Morning or Afternoon!”
Jenn joined Associated Hearing Care in July of 2017 after graduating from the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Rebecca has known Jenn her whole life, and offered Jenn a job post-grad as an administrative assistant. With the expansion of AHC’s outreach care, Jenn was promoted to be the office manager of the western region, while continuing to cover the front office in St. Paul. In January 2018, Jenn got to put new talents to use as she took on the additional responsibilities of marketing assistant. When Associated Hearing Care expanded again in August 2021, Jenn was promoted to Operations Manager. You can now find her keeping track of invoices, and making sure all the offices run smoothly.
Jenn likes learning new things about how hearing aids work and how different devices and accessories work for different people, which helps when her family asks her about what to do for her grandmother. Jenn wears a few different hats at Associated Hearing Care, and that’s some of what she loves best about the job - never knowing quite what to expect.
In her spare time, Jenn likes to read, do puzzles, and spend time enjoying the Minnesota state parks and seasons - even winter! She enjoys sending mail, keeping up with her family back home in Iowa, and being her family and friends’ resident hearing expert.
Jennifer Brown,
Operations Manager
David Younk,
Chief Marketing Officer
Since the mid-1990s David Younk has been helping businesses and organizations large and small develop their story and connect with customers. He has a passion for helping make marketing easier to understand and put to work.
His experience ranges from leading the marketing team of a global medical device manufacturer to working with retail healthcare practitioners to acquire new patients. His
expertise ranges from work in television and newspapers to work with non-profit organizations and small businesses.
David has spoken internationally on a variety of marketing topics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Saint Cloud State University with emphases in
Advertising and Public Relations.
Samantha Kohnen, Au.D
Doctor of Audiology
Samantha Kohnen, Au.D., CCC-A, F-AAA, AIB, has extensive experience treating patients with BPPV, providing comprehensive vestibular assessments, counseling patients over their vestibular assessment results to create a treatment plan, helping those with hearing loss, and selecting hearing protection devices specific to each person’s needs. She takes pleasure in assisting people in their journey to improve their quality of life by getting people back into enjoying the activities they love.
Beyond her professional life, Samantha and her family, which includes her husband and child, cherish spending time in the great outdoors and billiard activities. She grew up in southern Illinois near St. Louis, MO. She enjoyed the many camping trips with her family plus bowling and hunting big game with her dad as a child.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Illinois State University (2016)
Doctor of Audiology at Central Michigan University (2020)
Fourth Year Doctoral Placement at Mayo Clinic in Mankato
Professional Certifications
American Academy of Audiology
ASHA
American Institute of Balance
